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Most modern American homes have heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Unlike furniture or appliances, HVAC systems don’t get much attention, often resulting in preventable issues that end up costing thousands of dollars in the long run. With the help of preventative maintenance, you can substantially extend the lifespan of your home’s HVAC system.

Don’t Let Your HVAC System Run Excessively

Like humans, HVAC units need to take breaks to perform up to par. Many homeowners make the mistake of letting their air conditioning or heating system run at length without a break. Every thermostat has an “auto” setting that reduces the workload put on a heating and cooling system’s shoulders. Whenever possible, use this setting instead of leaving your thermostat positioned to “on,” which forces the appliance to run without stopping until you change the setting. While it’s okay to use the “on” setting, limit your reliance on the full-speed function as best you can.

Look Into a Smart Thermostat

Whether you’re big on the Internet of Things and smart homes or not, you should look into buying a smart thermostat. These devices, when connected to the internet, check the temperature, humidity, and weather patterns in real-time and constantly tie these readings into heating, cooling, and ventilation functions. Smart thermostats also regulate HVAC system usage to reduce energy consumption, which further reduces wear and tear on your HVAC system. You can even control your thermostat from afar with smart thermostat apps, which are free to download and use.

Never Neglect Your Air Filters

HVAC systems utilize air filters to improve indoor air quality, keep your ductwork in good shape, and prevent premature system failure. Although dust might not seem harmful, over time, poorly filtered HVAC systems pull in dust that coats the insides of central units. When neglected, long-term dust and debris accumulation can reduce energy efficiency, cause chronic indoor air quality issues, and shorten the lifespan of heating and air conditioning systems. Air filters are cheap and easy to replace, so you should replace these filters every three months.

Stop Obstructing Central Ventilation System Airflow

Closing vents or covering them with objects are effective ways of regulating indoor temperature and airflow on a room-by-room basis. Although obstructing normal HVAC system ventilation for a few minutes or hours won’t have much impact on the well-being of your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning setup, this practice is bad news for its longevity. It also may increase your energy consumption. Inspect your house’s vents and remove any objects obstructing normal airflow. It also wouldn’t hurt to advise others of the importance of keeping vents open.

Have Ductwork Inspected

Ductwork is hidden in crawlspaces, attics, and walls, just like plumbing. Unless you have professional HVAC equipment just lying around, you won’t be able to properly inspect the full length of your system’s ducts. Hiring a professional HVAC company like Jco Heating A/C Electrical in Springfield, Oregon, is recommended for proper ductwork analysis.

Don’t Leave Doors or Windows Open Unnecessarily

Opening the windows on a cool, breezy spring or autumn afternoon is nothing short of enjoyable. While there’s nothing wrong with welcoming fresh air into your residence, you shouldn’t leave your windows or doors open all day, especially while your HVAC system is running. Doing so will put stress on your home’s ventilation system, subjecting it to unnecessary wear and tear, not to mention potentially causing your utility bill to spike.

Improve Your Home’s Insulation

Windows, doors, and wall-mounted appliances open up your house to the elements. Even though you might not be able to feel a strong breeze rushing in from these poorly insulated areas, you should consider installing weatherstrips or sealing up leaks with caulk. If your home has an attic, take a look upstairs to evaluate its insulation. Attics are a common source of unwanted air and can be insulated more easily than other parts of your property.

Invest in Regular HVAC System Maintenance

Professional HVAC service providers, unlike most people, know their way around heating, air conditioning, and ventilation systems. They can tell when refrigerant levels are low, fluids are leaking, or parts need to be replaced. Having an HVAC technician perform regular maintenance on your home’s HVAC system is one of the most effective tools for minimizing needless wear and tear.

Contact Jco Heating A/C Electrical today to see how we can immediately improve your house’s HVAC system. We can help you with all of your heating and cooling needs in Springfield and the surrounding areas, including air conditioning and heating installation and repair, gas furnace and heat pump maintenance, and indoor air quality audits.